Foot protecting devices

ABSTRACT

Foot protecting devices including a shell including a top surface and a bottom surface spaced from the top surface and substantially aligned with the top surface, and a cushioning layer proximate the bottom surface, wherein the shell is configured to mount within a user&#39;s shoe between a shoe tongue and a shoe&#39;s laces, the cushioning layer is positioned proximate the tongue and the shell is positioned proximate the laces. In some examples the foot protecting device includes a plurality of apertures, channels, and retaining elements on the top surface of the shell. In some further examples the foot protecting device includes a selectively removable cushioning layer.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to foot protecting devices. In particular, foot protecting devices configured to be selectively inserted between a shoe's tongue and laces are described.

Running and walking are popular forms of exercise. Running and walking can lead to foot discomfort and injury. The top portions, or metatarsal areas, of runners' (and walkers′) feet are particularly susceptible to pain and discomfort from shoe lace pressure. Additionally, constant shoe lace pressure during sustained exercise often leads to bruised, inflamed, or raw metatarsal areas, which force runners and walkers to limit or discontinue exercise activities.

Known foot protecting devices are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing foot protecting devices are bulky. Existing foot protecting devices are configured to protect feet from blunt force trauma. For example, steel-toe boots protect feet from potential crushing by heavy objects or steel shanks in hiking boots protect feet from piercing objects below the boot. Bulky existing foot protecting devices are not suitable for sustained running or walking; bulky existing foot protecting devices are often the cause of foot discomfort.

Protecting feet from blunt force trauma requires specialty footwear to accommodate existing bulky foot protecting devices. Existing bulky foot protecting devices are permanently integrated within bulky work boots or hiking boots. Rather than decreasing user fatigue, existing bulky specialty footwear actually increases user fatigue and is not suitable for sustained exercise activities.

In addition, conventional foot protecting devices are prohibitively heavy. Often, existing foot protecting devices are comprised of heavy material like steel or thick plastic. Heavy conventional foot protecting devices increase user fatigue and are not suitable for sustained running or walking.

Moreover, conventional foot protecting devices protect user's toes or sole, but fail to protect users' metatarsals. Metatarsal bones are particularly susceptible to fatigue and injury during sustained exercise activities. However, conventional foot protecting devices fail to protect users' metatarsal bones from fatigue and injury.

Thus, there exists a need for foot protecting devices that improve upon and advance the design of known foot protecting devices. Examples of new and useful foot protecting devices relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to foot protecting devices including a shell including a top surface and a bottom surface spaced from the top surface and substantially aligned with the top surface, and a cushioning layer proximate the bottom surface, wherein the shell is configured to mount within a user's shoe between a shoe's tongue and a shoe's laces, the cushioning layer is positioned proximate the tongue and the shell is positioned proximate the laces. In some examples the foot protecting device includes a plurality of apertures, channels, and retaining elements on the top surface of the shell. In some further examples the foot protecting device includes a selectively removable cushioning layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first example of a foot protecting device inserted in a user's shoe.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 1 depicting the anatomically-molded shape of the foot protection device.

FIG. 3 is bottom perspective view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 1 depicting a tongue-engaging surface of a cushioning layer.

FIG. 4 is a top elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 1 depicting a safety element on a top surface of a shell.

FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 1 depicting the interface between the shell and the cushioning layer.

FIG. 6 is a bottom elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 1 depicting the tongue-engaging surface of the cushioning layer with anti-slip elements.

FIG. 7 is a magnified view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 1 depicting a plurality of heat-dissipating elements and a plurality of longitudinal channels on the tongue-engaging surface of the cushioning layer.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a second example of a foot protecting device including a plurality of apertures, channels, and retaining elements on a top surface of a shell of the foot protecting device.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 8 depicting a tongue-engaging surface of a cushioning layer including anti-odor elements.

FIG. 10 is a top elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 8 depicting the apertures and channels on the top surface of the shell.

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 8 depicting the interface between the shell and the cushioning layer.

FIG. 12 is a bottom elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 8 depicting the tongue-engaging surface of the cushioning layer.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a third example of a foot protecting device including a shell and a selectively removable cushioning layer.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 13 depicting a bottom surface of the shell.

FIG. 15 is a top elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 13 depicting a concave configuration of a top edge and a bottom edge.

FIG. 16 is a cross-section view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 13 depicting the interface between the shell and the cushioning layer.

FIG. 17 is a bottom elevation view of the foot protecting device shown in FIG. 13 depicting a plurality of apertures and longitudinal channels on a tongue-engaging surface of the cushioning layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed foot protecting devices will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various foot protecting devices are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

With reference to FIGS. 1-7, a first example of a foot protecting device, foot protecting device 100, will now be described. Foot protecting device 100 includes a shell 110 and a cushioning layer 140. Foot protecting device 100 functions to reduce or alleviate pressure on the metatarsal portion of a user's foot 180. Indeed, foot protecting device 100 disperses shoe lace pressure over the top of user's foot 180.

Inserting foot protecting device 100 within users' shoes between the shoe tongue and laces solves one deficiency of conventional foot protecting devices. Foot protecting device 100 protects users' metatarsal bones from fatigue and injury without the need for bulky or heavy specialty footwear.

Moreover, foot protecting device 100 can be used to decrease foot fatigue during long-distance running and walking or sustained exercise activities. Foot protecting device 100 is light weight, low bulk, and fits easily within users' existing footwear.

As shown in FIG. 1, foot protecting device 100 is configured to mount within a user's shoe 190 between a shoe tongue 191 and a shoe's laces 193. Shell 110 is inserted proximate laces 193, and cushioning layer 140 is proximate tongue 191. Alternatively, the foot protecting device may be inserted under the shoe's tongue between the tongue and the user's foot or inside the tongue through a tongue slot.

As shown in FIG. 2, shell 110 is comprised of plastic. Additionally or alternatively, the shell may be comprised of any now known or later developed material. Acceptable shell materials include wood, metal, rubber, Kevlar®, carbon fiber, and composites.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, shell 110 is rectangular. Alternatively, the shell may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows inserting the foot protecting device between a shoe's tongue and laces. Examples of acceptable shell shapes include, but are not limited to, round, oval, diamond, square, trapezoid and triangle.

As shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2 example, shell 110 includes a top surface 120. Top surface 120 is latitudinally convex. Top surface 120 is configured to facilitate or allow foot protecting device 100 to accommodate and protect user's foot 180.

Alternatively, the top surface may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows the foot protecting device to removably insert between a shoe tongue and laces and accommodate a user's foot. Example top surface configurations include, but are not limited to, planar, edged-planar, curved, and pyramidal.

Also shown in FIG. 2, top surface 120 includes a safety element 125. In the FIG. 2 example, safety element 125 is comprised of reflective tape. Additionally or alternatively, the safety element may be comprised of any safety promoting device or system, including, but not limited to, reflectors, lights, horns, and sirens.

In the FIG. 2 example, safety element 125 covers substantially all of top surface 120. Alternatively, the safety element may cover relatively little or a portion of the top surface. In some examples the safety element may define a frame around the outer edge of the top surface.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, shell 110 includes a bottom surface 130 spaced from and substantially aligned with top surface 120; bottom surface 130 is latitudinally concave. Bottom surface 130 is configured to facilitate or allow foot protecting device 100 to accommodate user's foot 180.

Alternatively, the bottom surface may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows the foot protecting device to removably insert between a shoe tongue and laces and accommodate a user's foot. Example bottom surface configurations include, but are not limited to, planar, edged-planar, curved, and pyramidal.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, cushioning layer 140 is proximate to bottom surface 130. Cushioning layer 140 is positioned proximate tongue 191 when foot protecting device 100 is mounted within user's shoe 190.

Alternatively, the cushioning layer may be positioned proximate a user's foot if the foot protecting device is placed under the shoe tongue and the cushioning layer is positioned over the user's metatarsals.

In the FIG. 3 example, cushioning layer 140 is anti-microbial and anti-fungal. Additionally or alternatively, the cushioning layer may include life-extending features including, but not limited to, odor absorbing and moisture evaporating features.

As depicted in FIG. 3, cushioning layer 140 is comprised of foam rubber. Alternatively, the cushioning layer may be comprised of any material now known or later developed that facilitates or allows user comfort. Acceptable cushioning layer materials include, but are not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, fabric, fleece, silicon, carbon fiber, and composites.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, cushioning layer 140 includes a shell-engaging surface 142 proximate bottom surface 130. In the FIG. 5 example, shell-engaging surface 142 is fixedly attached to bottom surface 130. Alternatively, the shell-engaging surface may be removably attached to the bottom surface.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, cushioning layer 140 includes a tongue-engaging surface 144 opposite shell-engaging surface 142. Tongue engaging surface 144 is substantially aligned with bottom surface 130; tongue-engaging surface is latitudinally concave.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 7, tongue-engaging surface 144 includes anti-slip elements 146. Anti-slip elements 146 limit or reduce slipping of foot protecting device 100. In the FIG. 7 example, anti-slip elements 146 are comprised of rubber strips integrated longitudinally on tongue-engaging surface 144.

Alternatively, the anti-slip elements may be comprised of any now known or later developed compound that facilitates or allows the anti-slip element to limit or reduce slipping of the foot protecting device within the shoe. Examples of acceptable anti-slip elements include, but are not limited to rubberized dots or strips, silicon elements, hook-and-pile elements, and stays.

As shown in FIG. 7, tongue-engaging surface 144 also includes a plurality of heat-dissipating elements 170. Heat dissipating elements 170 are configured to facilitate or allow heat to dissipate and moisture to evaporate from tongue-engaging surface 144.

In the FIG. 7 example, heat-dissipating elements 170 are configured as cylindrical apertures in tongue-engaging surface 144. Alternatively, the heat-dissipating elements may be configured in any shape or form that facilitates or allows heat to dissipate and moisture to evaporate. The heat dissipating elements may be oval, square, rectangular, triangular, or linear.

Also shown in FIG. 7, tongue-engaging surface 144 includes a plurality of longitudinal channels 175. Longitudinal channels 175 facilitate or allow channeling moisture on tongue-engaging surface 144. Additionally or alternatively, the longitudinal channels may facilitate or allow ventilation and airflow on or over the tongue-engaging surface.

As shown in FIG. 7, longitudinal channels 175 are linear. Alternatively, the longitudinal channels may be configured in any manner that facilitates or allows channeling moisture, ventilation, and airflow over the tongue engaging surface. Examples of acceptable channel formations include regular curves, waves, and spirals.

Turning attention to FIGS. 8-12, a second example of a foot protecting device, foot protecting device 200, will now be described. Foot protecting device 200 includes many similar or identical features to foot protecting device 100. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of foot protecting device 200 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between foot protecting device 200 and foot protecting device 100 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two foot protecting devices.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, foot protecting device 200 includes a shell 210 including a longitudinally convex top surface 220 defining a plurality of channels 222 and a plurality of apertures, a plurality of retaining elements 250 removably attached to top surface 220, a longitudinally concave bottom surface 230 spaced from and substantially aligned with top surface 220, and an anti-microbial cushioning layer 240 fixedly secured to bottom surface 230.

Foot protecting device 200 includes additional features to facilitate or allow placing and retaining foot protecting device 200 within a user's shoe. Whereas foot protecting device 100 can be inserted between a shoes laces and tongue then subsequently removed with ease, foot protecting device 200 includes channels 222 and retaining elements 250 to securely retain foot protecting device 200 within the shoe. A user must at least partially unlace the shoe to remove foot protecting device 200.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, channels 222 are configured to accommodate shoe laces. In the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, channels 222 are linear. Alternatively, the channels may be slight depressions in the top surface and configured in any shape or configuration that facilitates or allows retaining the foot protecting device within a user's shoe. Examples of acceptable channel configurations include, but are not limited to troughs, depressions, and notches.

In the FIGS. 8 and 10 example, channels 222 define an X-pattern. The X-pattern is most deep at the center and becomes more shallow toward the outer edges. Alternatively, the channels may be more defined: the X-pattern may be deeper from center to edge. Alternatively, the channels may be less defined: the X-pattern may be more shallow or all together lack defined edges.

Also shown in FIG. 8, retaining elements 250 are configured to accommodate shoes laces. In the FIG. 8 example, retaining elements 250 are U-shaped. Alternatively, the retaining elements may be configured in any shape or form capable of accommodating shoe laces and retaining the foot protecting device in the shoe. The retaining elements may be eyelets, tunnels, ports, and hooks.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, retaining elements 250 are removably attached. Alternatively, the retaining elements may be fixedly attached through any now known or later developed attachment method.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, apertures 260 define air circulating and heat dissipating features in shell 210. In the FIG. 8 example, apertures 260 are oval. Alternatively, the apertures may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows circulating air and dissipating heat. The apertures may be circular, linear, square, rectangular, triangular, diamond-shaped, or a combination of shapes.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 9, anti-microbial cushioning layer 240 includes anti-odor elements 248. Anti-odor elements 248 shown in FIG. 9 are activated carbon. Additionally or alternatively, the anti-odor elements may be comprised of any now known or later developed anti-odor element. Acceptable anti-odor elements include, but are not limited to, wool and silver.

Turning attention to FIGS. 13-17, a third example of a foot protecting device, foot protecting device 300, will now be described. Foot protecting device 300 includes a shell 310 including a plurality of apertures 360 and an anti-microbial cushioning layer 340 removably secured to shell 310. Cushioning layer 340 includes a plurality of apertures 370 and a plurality of longitudinal channels 375.

Moreover, shell 310 includes a top surface 320 and a bottom surface 330 spaced from and substantially aligned with top surface 320. Further, shell 310 includes a top edge 322 connecting top surface 320 and bottom surface 330. Shell 310 also includes a bottom edge 324 opposite top edge 322 and connecting top surface 320 and bottom surface 330. Apertures 360 connect top surface 320 and bottom surface 330.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 15, top edge 322 is configured to anatomically accommodate a user's foot. Top edge 322 facilitates or allows natural movement of user's foot during running, jumping, striding, and walking.

In the FIG. 15 example, top edge 322 is concave. Alternatively the top edge may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows the top edge to accommodate a user's foot. The top edge may be linear, curved, or inverse-wedge shaped.

Also shown most clearly in FIG. 15, bottom edge 324 is configured to anatomically accommodate a user's foot. Bottom edge 324 facilitates or allows natural movement of user's foot during running, jumping, striding, and walking.

In the FIG. 15 example, bottom edge 324 is concave. Alternatively the bottom edge may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows the bottom edge to accommodate a user's foot. The top edge may be linear, curved, or inverse-wedge shaped.

As shown in FIG. 13, apertures 360 facilitate or allow circulating air, evaporating moisture, and dissipating heat around foot protecting device 300. Apertures 360 are substantially the same size and shape as apertures 370 of cushioning layer 340. Alternatively, the apertures of the shell may be unequal in size and shape with the apertures of the cushioning layer.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, apertures 360 of shell 310 are substantially aligned with apertures 370 of cushioning layer 340. Alternatively, the apertures of the shell may be configured to align with some, a portion of some, or none of the apertures of the cushioning layer.

In the FIG. 13 example, apertures 360 are cylindrical. Additionally or alternatively, the apertures may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows venting heat, circulating air, and channeling moisture. Examples of acceptable configurations include, but are not limited to, squares, ovals, rectangles, triangles, and diamonds.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, cushioning layer 340 includes a shell-engaging surface 342. Shell-engaging surface 342 removably attaches to bottom surface 330 with a hook-and-pile system 335. In the FIGS. 13-14 example, bottom surface 330 includes hook elements, and shell-engaging surface 342 includes pile elements. Additionally or alternatively, the bottom surface may include pile elements, and the shell-engaging surface may include hook elements.

Additionally or alternatively, the shell and cushioning layer may be removably attached by any now known or later developed means. Acceptable attaching mechanisms include, but are not limited to, buttons, snaps, clips, slots, and reusable adhesives.

As shown in FIG. 14, cushioning layer 340 includes a shoe-tongue-engaging surface 344 opposite shell-engaging surface 342. Shoe-tongue engaging surface 344 is substantially aligned with shell-engaging surface 342; shoe-tongue-engaging surface is latitudinally concave.

As shown in FIG. 17, shoe-tongue-engaging surface 344 defines a plurality of longitudinal channels 375. Longitudinal channels 375 function separately and in combination with apertures 370 and apertures 360 to facilitate or allow venting heat, circulating air, and channeling moisture in and around foot protecting device 300.

In the FIG. 17 example, longitudinal channels 375 are linear. Alternatively, the channels may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows venting heat, circulating air, and channeling moisture in and around the foot protecting device. Acceptable channel configurations include regular curves, waves, and spirals.

As shown in FIG. 14, apertures 370 connect shell-engaging surface to shoe-tongue-engaging surface. Apertures 370 function separately and in combination with apertures 360 and longitudinal channels 375 to facilitate or allow venting heat, circulating air, and channeling moisture in and around foot protecting device 300.

In the FIG. 14 example, apertures 370 are cylindrical. Additionally or alternatively, the apertures may be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows venting heat, circulating air, and channeling moisture. Examples of acceptable configurations include, but are not limited to, squares, ovals, rectangles, triangles, and diamonds.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein. 

1. A foot protecting device including: a shell including a top surface and a bottom surface spaced from the top surface and substantially aligned with the top surface; and a cushioning layer proximate the bottom surface; wherein the shell is configured to mount within a user's shoe between a shoe tongue and a shoe's laces, the cushioning layer positioned proximate the tongue and the shell positioned proximate the laces.
 2. The foot protecting device of claim 1, further comprising retaining elements removably attached to the top surface for retaining the top surface proximate the laces.
 3. The foot protecting device of claim 1, wherein the cushioning layer is removably attached to the bottom surface.
 4. The foot protecting device of claim 3, wherein the cushioning layer further includes a shell-engaging surface proximate the bottom surface of the shell, a tongue-engaging surface distal the bottom surface of the shell opposite the shell-engaging surface, and the tongue-engaging surface includes anti-slip elements.
 5. The foot protecting device of claim 1, wherein the cushioning layer is anti-microbial and anti-fungal.
 6. The foot protecting device of claim 1, wherein the shell is anatomically molded to accommodate a top instep portion of a user's foot.
 7. The foot protecting device of claim 6, wherein the shell is latitudinally convex on the top surface and latitudinally concave on the bottom surface.
 8. The foot protecting device of claim 7, wherein the shell includes a plurality of apertures for ventilation.
 9. The foot protecting device of claim 7, wherein the tongue-engaging surface of the cushioning layer includes a plurality of longitudinal channels for ventilation and moisture channeling.
 10. The foot protecting device of claim 7, wherein the top surface of the shell includes channels configured to accommodate the laces of the shoe.
 11. A foot protecting device including: a shell including a longitudinally convex top surface configured to accommodate shoe laces and a longitudinally concave bottom surface spaced from the top surface and substantially aligned with the top surface; and an anti-microbial cushioning layer fixedly secured to the bottom surface; wherein the shell is configured to be inserted in a user's shoe between a shoe tongue and shoe laces, the cushioning layer positioned proximate the tongue and the shell positioned proximate the laces.
 12. The foot protecting device of claim 11, wherein the cushioning layer includes anti-odor elements.
 13. The foot protecting device of claim 11, wherein the shell and the cushioning layer include heat-dissipating elements.
 14. The foot protecting device of claim 11, wherein the heat-dissipating elements are comprised of a plurality of apertures.
 15. A foot protecting device including: a shell including a top surface, a bottom surface spaced from the top surface and substantially aligned with the top surface, a top edge connecting the top surface and the bottom surface, and a bottom edge opposite the top edge and connecting the top surface and the bottom surface; and an anti-microbial cushioning layer including a shell-engaging surface and a shoe-tongue-engaging surface opposite the shell-engaging surface, the cushioning layer removably secured to the bottom surface of the shell; wherein the shell defines a plurality of apertures and the cushioning layer defines a plurality of apertures and a plurality of longitudinal channels on the shoe-tongue-engaging surface, the apertures of the cushioning layer substantially aligned with the apertures of the shell.
 16. The foot protecting device of claim 15, wherein the top edge and the bottom edge are configured to accommodate a user's foot.
 17. The foot protecting device of claim 16, wherein the top edge and the bottom edge are concave.
 18. The foot protecting device of claim 17, wherein the cushioning layer is removably secured to the bottom surface of the shell with hook-and-pile securing elements.
 19. The foot protecting device of claim 15, wherein the top surface includes safety elements.
 20. The foot protecting device of claim 19, wherein the safety elements reflect light. 